Our lungs help us breathe in oxygen and filter out harmful pollutants from the air. Therefore, it is essential to care for the lungs and keep them healthy. Poor lung health can increase the risk of several respiratory conditions that impact a person’s quality of life and lead to other complications. Keeping this in mind, we have put together a few simple tips to ensure your lungs remain healthy and functioning properly. Reduce exposure to air pollution A great way to maintain healthy lungs is to reduce exposure to environmental pollutants. Stay indoors as far as possible on high air pollution days and wear a face mask before leaving the house. While we cannot always control our environment, these steps will help prevent you from inhaling tiny particles that can harm the lungs. Regular exercise Another way to keep your lungs healthy is to exercise and indulge in physical activity regularly. Taking long walks amidst nature or practicing yoga can improve lung function and reduce the risk of respiratory diseases. Managing stress Research suggests stress can impact respiratory health by causing rapid breathing and inflammation. Practicing relaxation techniques like deep breathing and pursuing a hobby are two ways to cope with stress and thus support the lungs.

During housecleaning, people mostly follow their normal cleaning routine. Although this routine may seem like second nature, some cleaning habits adapted over the years may do more harm than good. It may also include leaving behind bacteria, grime, and dust that may create more work later and lead to health conditions, worsening allergies, and other health problems. Keep reading to learn about some common cleaning mistakes to stay away from. Mistakes to avoid while cleaning In most cases, the goal of the cleaning routine is to finish the task as soon as possible and move on to more critical chores. However, this could lead to a few mistakes that make the house dirtier. Some such common mistakes are listed below. Usage of dirty cleaning tools A cleaning routine is only as good as the cleaning tools one uses. Hence, using the right tools and ensuring they are clean is important. It may help avoid spreading bacteria, dust, and dirt throughout the house. Therefore, to avoid such mistakes, one must regularly wash the cleaning cloth, scrub brushes, and mop heads after every use. Furthermore, one can also sanitize germy items such as toilet brushes and empty the vacuum for optimum cleaning.

Home maintenance is often one of the most expensive elements when accounting for home budgeting. Raw materials are expensive, and you may have to contract a professional for the job. However, if you know the basics of electrical, plumbing, and woodwork, you could carry out certain repairs yourself, helping save significant maintenance costs. Here are seven DIY home repair tips that could save you from hiring a professional to get the job done. Drain pipes A leaky kitchen or bathroom drain pipe (not concealed inside a wall) is one issue that you can most likely fix by yourself. It may require something as simple as tightening a slip-nut near the P-Trap. A leak from a hole in the drain could be resolved with a flexible coupling with hose clamps. Handing wallpaper Wallpaper is easy to install or replace too. You will need someone to help get it on the wall and match the patterns correctly. If bubbling appears, you might have to remove the paper and install a new strip. But remember that removing wallpaper might require you to order more, possibly exceeding the budget, so avoid doing the job in haste. Clogged garbage disposal Disposal units might seem tough to fix.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune health condition with symptoms that are easily visible such as dryness, redness, and peeling of the skin. It is generally known that these symptoms are the result of chronic inflammation. However, not many people are aware that psoriasis causes systemic inflammation, which means the inflammation affects not only the skin but also the internal organs of the body. This can eventually lead to other health complications. Psoriatic arthritis Psoriatic arthritis is one of the most common conditions linked to psoriasis. The symptoms include swollen and stiff joints with severe pain. Early onset of psoriatic arthritis is usually indicated by symptoms such as red or swollen joints along the spine, fingers, and elbows. Metabolic syndrome The metabolic syndrome results from elevated blood sugar levels, high blood pressure, and high levels of body fat and cholesterol. This syndrome further increases the risk of health conditions related to the heart and type 2 diabetes. Cardiovascular disease Cardiovascular disease or heart-related conditions include heart stroke, arrhythmia, heart failure, and problems related to the valves of the heart. It is estimated that those with psoriasis have twice the risk of developing cardiovascular complications. However, the risk increases for those who have been diagnosed with metabolic syndrome in the past as a result of psoriasis.

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurological condition that results in developmental issues, particularly affecting a child’s communication and interaction skills. The progressive disorder triggers certain deficits in social skills that limit their range of interests, behavior, and insights. Autism significantly impacts a child’s normal development with communication and behavioral traits that begin to affect their daily routine. Here are the early signs of autism in children requiring immediate specialist consultation for prompt diagnosis and assessment. Slow response and reaction to emotional cues The baby or child responds slowly to emotional cues. Being slow to smile or laugh, resisting holding or even cuddling, and not showing keen interest in objects around are all early signs of autism in children. Babies start to avoid eye contact, have difficulty listening, cannot babble naturally, and even develop facial expressions that don’t match the expected reaction. Another critical sign of autism is the baby failing to respond to their name being called out in the first 12 months. Abrupt emotional patterns Toddlers and preschoolers who don’t engage in pretend play (any activity that creates a caring emotional connect with an object or person) are indicative of the early stages of autism. Between 12 and 18 months of age, parents must observe and see if their child prefers playing alone and deliberately avoids social interactions.

Eczema is a common skin disorder that affects nearly 10% of the population in the country. It causes the skin to dry, triggers itching, and causes red blistery patches to develop on the skin. While there is no cure for the condition, managing the symptoms and preventing flare-ups is entirely possible. Dermatologists suggest active daily nutrition and lifestyle changes and use these seven popular topical lotions and balms to soothe the skin. The Honest Company Eczema Soothing Therapy The steroid-free itch relief formula is one of the best topical lotions for eczema treatment to buy for small children and infants. The formula is safe for sensitive skin, completely hypoallergenic, and approved by dermatologists for regular use. The formula also contains no parabens, silicone, mineral oil, steroids, petrolatum additives, or preservatives. Buy the 3. oz balm from the official website for just $14.95 today. La Roche-Posay La Roche-Posay is one of the top picks that is also fragrance-free and recommended for eczema treatment. The steroid and antibiotic-free formula soothes eczema flare-ups in specific places on the hands, body, and even the face to visibly reduce signs of skin damage. The lotion is dermatologically approved, allergy tested, suitable for sensitive skin, and pediatrician tested, making it suitable for children over 3.

For several women, excruciating pain and cramps are synonymous with periods. Research suggests that approximately 80% of individuals who menstruate experience period pain at some point. Adequate care and rest are essential to overcome period pain and avoid nutritional deficiencies during this time. Alongside maintaining a proper meal plan, avoiding certain types of foods, and staying as physically active as possible, avoiding these few common mistakes can help women manage better during their period. Using scented tampons or pads Besides causing irritation and discomfort, scented tampons and pads also alter the vagina’s pH balance, leading to problems like bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections. Scented tampons and pads can also contribute to vaginal itching and odor. Thus, it is important to use unscented menstrual products at all times to avoid compromising menstrual health. Staying dehydrated The body loses more fluids during periods than on regular days. Consequently, it requires more water to perform daily functions like lubricating joints, controlling body temperature, regulating bowel movements, and providing nutrients and oxygen to the cells. Dehydration can slow down these processes significantly, aggravating one’s discomfort and weakening their immunity. It helps to set water reminders on one’s phone or smartwatch to stay hydrated during the menstrual cycle.

The menstrual cycle duration varies between women, but the average is 28 days. Though a slight change in this average is considered normal, if one experiences an irregular menstrual cycle for several months, it might signify an underlying health condition that must be diagnosed and promptly treated. In such scenarios, it is advised to seek the help of an ob-gyn and watch out for some unhealthy lifestyle habits that must be changed. Sudden rigorous exercise routine Regular and moderate exercise can improve heart health, mood regulation, and a steady sleep cycle. Moreover, changing your exercise routine and trying a new regime won’t impact your menstrual cycle much. However, problems will arise when one suddenly switches to an extreme exercise/training routine, which can affect one’s menstrual cycle. It is commonly observed in women who start training for marathons or triathlons. Excessive stress Dealing with excessive stress levels for longer periods is another aspect that can impact one’s menstrual cycle. It is because stress leads to the higher production of cortisol, which can interfere with many crucial bodily functions. As a result, there is lower production of estrogen and progesterone. All these factors combined will hamper one’s menstrual cycle. Unhealthy sleeping habits Not maintaining a healthy sleep cycle is a major lifestyle mistake many people commit.